Instrument case



April 22, 1930 H. BARTENBACH 1,755,171

INSTRUMENT CASE Filed .Tune 6, 1928 INVENTOR Patented Apr. 22, 1930 HERMAN BABTEBAOH, F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA INSTRUMENT casa application med :une s, 192s'. serial N. 283,271.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements irrinstrument cases, and

while particularly illustrating and describing its embodiment in watchcases, it will be a obvious that the invention may be successfully em loyed in connection with the housings an watches, stop watches, pedometers, calculating and tallying devices, meteorological and l0 nautical instruments, and any other devices requiring transparent face covers to permit reading of scales and dials, and further having levers and spindles passing through the cases for the purpose of energizing, controlling, regulating, adjusting, or operating the housed mechanisms.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an instrument case of the character described which is impervious to moisture,

luidsygases, dust, grit or any other extraneous matter, thereby promoting and maintaining the utility, operation, accuracy, and life of instrumentsenclosed therein.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a device of the class stated, which is simple in its construction and arrangement, durable and eilicient in its use, which will not alter the regulation superficial configurations and appearances, which may be readily embodied 1n cases already constructed as well as forming a component part of a new case structure, and which yis comparatively inexpensive to lmanufacture and in its maintenance.

To the accomplishment of these and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts herein specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to that come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawing wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views :T

Figure 1 is an enlarged side v1ew, partly 1n cross section, of a watch-case constructed in 5 accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side view, partly in section, of a modified form thereof.

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are fragmentary, cross sectional views illustrating modifications in the passage arrangements of associated elec `ments through the case. cases of pocket watches, .wrist Referring in, detail to the drawing 1 denotes the hollow body portion of a watch case of conventional` configuration. The front and rear of the body poition are formed with outwardlyproj ecting, Vexteriorly threaded, annular flanges, respectively indicated at 2 and 3. The threaded flanges 2 and 3 are constructed and arranged in the usual manner, having their peri heries inset or spaced from the periphery oi) the body portion 1.

The bezel 4, carrying a beveled crystal 5, has a screw thread connection with the front flange 2, and the back cover 6 has a screw thread connection with the rearflange 3.

A gasket 7 is positioned against the outer edge of the front flange 2, and a similar gasket 8 is positioned against the outer edge of the rear ange 3. The gaskets 7 and 8 may be constructed fromA any suitable material to render the same resiliently compressible and moisture-proof. i

The bezel 4, crystal 5, and body portion 1, are so constructed and arranged, that when the edge margin of the bezel 4 is seated tightly against the opposed edge margin of the body portion 1, the distance between the outer edge of the front flange 2 and the opposed edge margin of the crystal 5, is less than the thickness of the gasket 7 disposed therebetween. The relative diameters of the gasket 7 and the crystal 5 is such, that the peripheral edge of thelatter extends approximately centrally of the with of the gasket 7, whereby 90 the latter, when in the assembled position, overlaps the connection of the crystal 5 with the bezel 4. It is evident that 'when the bezel 4 is screwed tightly in place to the body portion 1, the interposed gasket 7 will be squeezed 95 and compressed and thus provide a sealing medium preventing the entrance of any extraneous matter either through the connection of the crystal 5 with the bezel 4, or through the connection ofthe latter with the 10U of. The construction and arrangement of the bead 10 and of the back cover bead 9, though not essential, are preferred owing to the greater eiiciency and reliability of a combination of gasket sealing against surfaces of relatively small areas.

In addition to sealing the connections of the crystal 5, bezel 4, and back cover 6 with associated parts, in the manner stated, the resilient compression of the gaskets 7 and 8 establishes a lateral spreading action against the threaded engagement of the connections retardant to the release of the latter. While the gaskets 7 and 8 are herein illustrated and described as embodied in a case having a screw bezel and back cover, it is to be understood that provision of such gaskets are equally adaptable to bezels and back covers of the hinge and snap type.

To exclude extraneous matter from the case, through the opening provided for the passage of the stem 11, the body portion is formed with an interiorly threaded stuffing bore- 12. The latter is providedwith suitable packing 13 which is compressed by a gland nut 14. The gland nut 14 is preferably split and resilient to prevent its accidental disengagement from the compressing position in the stuffing bore 12.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate modied means for sealing the stem passages. The embodiment shown in Figure 4 provides a body port-ion 15 formed with an exteriorly threaded neck 16. The latter is engaged by an interiorly threaded apertured cap 17 provided with packing 18 which is compressed by the adjustment of the cap nut 17 upon the neck 16. The disclosure in Figure 5 differs from the showing in Figure 4 in that the interiorly threaded cap 20 is formed integral with the body portion 22, and opens into the latter at its inner end. A special gland nut 19y is provided within the cap 20 for compressing the packing 21 in the latter. The gland nut 19 must, of course, be adjusted from within the body portion 22. This latter arrangement is especially practical and desirable in cases where the packing will wear as long or longer than the life of the associated mechanism, or intervals between normal repairs.

Figure 3 illustrates a method of packing two concentricall mounted passage members, respectively indicated at 24V and 25. The

exclude` all matter stutling bore 30 is provided with packing 31` and a gland nut This arrangement permits of either the independent orsynchronous operation of the members 24 and 25.

The arrangement of the packing with associated parts, above described, is equally effective whether the required movements of the latter be longitudinal, reciprocating, ro-

tary, or the lcombination of any or all ot' such movements.

Figure 2 discloses amodified embodiment for sealing theconnection of the back cover 35 with the body portion 1. A gasket 33 is mounted in a groove 34 formed on the inner face of the edge margin of theback cover 35.

The thickness of the gasket 33 is normally greater than the depthl of the groove 3`4 and when the back cover 6 is screwed to position ou the body portion 1, the gasket 32 will be compressed to adequately seal the connection therebetween. l

The .feature of the present invention resides in the provision for sealing the covers and the passage ways of associated spindles, levers, stems, etc., of instrument cases, to eifectively exclude the potential entrance'olmoisture, excessive humidity, water, fluids, gases, dust and any other matter detrimental to the operation and vaccuracy of precision mechanisms. l/Vatches, particularly, are worn in more or less close contact to the body and are liable to being entered by perspiration in warm-weather, by water from soaked garments or by accidental immersion.

lV rist wat-'ches constructed in accordance with this invention could be worn, without damage thereto by divers, swimmers, bathers, tratlic policemen, firemen, sailors, soldiers, and others who must be exposed to conditions that do not permit them to keep dry.

Further, the invention is particularly adaptable for the protection of meteorological and might be employed to extend the iield of usefulness of the instruments. Futhermore, because of this condition, it is not necessary to modify, in any way, the artistic finish, decorations, embellishment and elaborations of the improved case.

What I claim is:

1. In an instrument case of the character described, ahollow body portion including a removable bezel rovided with a crystal member, and means gbr sealing the connections of said bezel with said crystal member and with said body portion for preventing the passage of all extraneous matter through said connections.

2. In an instrument case of the character described, a hollow body portion including a removable bezel provided with a crystal member, and a resiliently compressible element for sealing the connections of said bezel with said crystal member and with said body porn tion for preventing the passage of all extraneous matter through said connections.

3. In an instrument case of the character described, a hollow body portion including a removable bezel provided with a vcrystal member, and a resiliently compressible gasket v for simultaneously sealing the connectlon of said crystal member with said bezel and the connection of said bezel with said body portion for excluding the entrance of all extraneous matter through said connections.

4. In an instrument case of the character described, a hollow body portion including a removable bezel provided with a crystal member, anda resiliently compressible gasket for simultaneously sealing the connection of said crystal member with said bezel and the connection of said bezel with said body portion for excluding the entrance of all extraneous matter through said connections, said gasket being disposed against said body portion and overlapping the connection of said bezel with said crystal member.

In testimony whereof I aliixmy signature.

HERMAN BARTEN BACH. 

